Sept. 30, 2009
On June 9, Curt Casali underwent Tommy John surgery to repair his torn ulna collateral ligament. After the surgery, Casali spent countless hours rehabbing during the summer.
“The first four weeks after the operation were rough because I had a brace on,” Casali said. “Since then the rehabbing has progressively been getting better.”
This past Sunday (Sept. 27) marked the first day Casali had picked up a ball to start throwing. “I made 50 throws of 40 feet so I am slowly progressing.” This is one of those injuries everyone knows takes time to come back from.
“Curt is coming along good so far,” Head Coach Tim Corbin said. “He is going to continue with his throwing program and we are definitely not going to rush him. He needs to follow what he is supposed to do in terms of what the doctors and what his body is telling him. He is still doing all of the catching drills and he is receiving pitchers so we will do everything we possibly can to get him ready without actually throwing.”
When asked about an estimated timeline to be back to 100 percent Casali is very optimistic that he will be able to play first base on opening day at the end of February.
Casali did admit that his goal is to be catching behind the plate during the spring but is willing to do whatever the coaching staff wants to help the team.
“I came to Vanderbilt to catch and I want to be behind the plate but at the same time I will play the position that the coaches put me in.”
At the plate, Casali said his injury won’t really slow him down. “I feel pretty good swinging the bat right now in practice,” Casali said. At this point in the fall season, if I am swinging and I feel sore then they will shut me down a couple of days until I feel good again.”
“Curt hasn’t been affected hitting wise which is something we knew coming in,” Corbin added.